Dress and Adornment by U. PRESTON LONG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 21, 1909

Dress and Adornment

By U. PRESTON LONG

U. PRESTON LONG

By yielding to the tempter, our first parents became subject to him, and to the evil influences of his spirit. They obtained a knowledge of sin, and became subject to evil natures, dispositions, and inclinations. “And they knew that they were naked.” They were startled by a sense of their downfall, with the appetites and passions which it brought. They did not indulge in outward adornments, but, oppressed by a sense of their dreadful condition, and actuated by shame and modesty, they availed themselves of the first means at hand to form garments for themselves.

Now for sixty centuries the “prince of this world” has been training Adam’s descendants in rebellion, violence, and sin. Impurity, adultery, degradation, disease, and death have made sad havoc with our fallen race. Shall we bedeck ourselves with ornaments, and boast, and plume ourselves, and exhibit our fragile bodies for admiration?—No, no! we are less pure, less beautiful, than were Adam and Eve; and if we sense our real condition, as our first parents did theirs, we shall be actuated by the same principles in selecting our apparel.

A Simple Raiment Provided

Adam and Eve were removed from Eden, and to protect them from heat and cold and other injury the Lord made them coats of skins and clothed them.

Man and woman were the most precious beings on earth. All other lives and things in this world, and the earth itself, were made for man. But now man was fallen! The earth and all things earthly had fallen with him. If necessary for his life and comfort, anything on earth might be sacrificed. So the skins of innocent animals were taken to clothe Adam and Eve. This must have occasioned the first death in the universe, and this was caused by sin. We have heard of the “original diet for man.” Here is the original dress provided by a merciful Father for his fallen children, the parents of our race.

These garments, worn daily, must have been a constant reminder of their humiliation and of their dependence, as well as of God’s forbearance and merciful provision for their protection and comfort. Was there not also in this a pledge that the Lamb of God, himself an innocent, submissive victim, should be slain because of their sins, that they might be clothed with the garments of righteousness in this present life, and with immortality in eternity?

God did not clothe man with showy apparel, or adorn him with gold or pearls. He was clothed comfortably, modestly, simply, soberly, humbly. Change of climate or vocation may justify, or even require, a change of material or style, but never a change in the character or purpose of our apparel. Because of our humiliation and dependence on Christ, our raiment should ever be characterized by the principles illustrated in the dress given by the all-wise Father to our first parents.

The Lesson of Joseph’s Bondage

In the experiences of Jacob (read Gen. 37: 1-3) also we see these principles forcibly illustrated. Jacob was one of the Lord’s chosen servants, but like many others, even in our day, he was in some respects an unwise parent. He loved Joseph more than he loved his other sons, and made him a costly, showy coat of many colors and many pieces, such as was worn by persons of distinction. This act led to envy, hatred, falsehood, and even to thoughts of murder on the part of Joseph’s brothers. It also had a tendency to make Joseph vain, proud, exacting, to develop a love for luxury, and to arouse the baser passions. He was unprepared to meet the serious responsibilities and temptations of life. But the Lord had a watchful care over Joseph. He saw the evil effects of Jacob’s indulgent course, and the ruin it was bringing upon Joseph. So the hatred of Joseph’s brothers was overruled for his good. Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egypt, but the Lord sent him into Egypt. Gen. 45: 5. His flashy, showy clothing gave place to the prisoner’s garb. His life of petted indulgence was succeeded by the rigors of bondage. His experience proves the folly of indulging children in costly, showy clothing.

The Cause of Solomon’s Downfall

The experience of Solomon contains much that is profitable for us in this connection. His prayer for wisdom was granted, and wisdom was given him beyond that of other men. Riches and honor were also given him in greatest abundance. So long as he used these bounties to the glory of God, they were reflected in blessings on himself. But after a time he became so absorbed in outward display and adornment that he neglected to secure fresh supplies of the “tried gold,” the true riches, the wealth of character, “which is in the sight of God of great price.” Read 1 Kings 10: 18-21, 26, 27. Solomon became so vain of his appearance that the glory of his apparel is proverbial to this day. Matt. 6: 29. His love of display led to gratification of sensual inclinations, which finally resulted in his apostasy from the true God and his worship of false gods.

The Lesson of Lucifer’s Fall

But let us look at the career of one wiser even than Solomon—Lucifer. Of him it is said that he sealed up the sum, “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” He was first of the covering cherubs. Next to Christ he had been most honored of God, and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Sin originated with him, and through his sin he lost his first estate. He possessed glorious brightness and perfect personal beauty, and his heart was lifted up because of his beauty. His wisdom was corrupted because of his brightness. With this condition came haughtiness, a superior attitude, a desire for pre-eminence. But the Lord did not look with favor on this spirit of self-exaltation. Lucifer was cast out of heaven, and now awaits destruction.

An Example to Christians

Probably in no other than the Master himself were the principles of holy living more fully and faithfully illustrated than in the life and teaching of John the Baptist. Jesus said of him, “What went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. . . . Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” John preached faithfully the doctrine of repentance. He taught by precept and example.

“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins.” He went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of the Lord. John separated himself from friends and from the luxuries of life. The simplicity of his dress, a garment woven of camel’s hair, was a standing rebuke to the extravagance and display of the Jewish priests and the people generally. He was a representative of those living in the last days,

to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ. Those who give this message which is to prepare a people for the second coming of Christ are to have the same spirit that animated John the Baptist in his message that was to prepare a people for the first advent of Christ. Luke 1: 17; Mal. 4: 5.

Will we learn the lesson of Lucifer’s fall? These lessons are written for us. If Jacob, the father of the favored nation, erred in clothing his beloved son, may not we err in adorning our children? If Solomon, the wisest of men, from the loftiest faith and the most exalted communing with God, was cast down into the most abominable idolatry,—if Solomon fell through pride, glorious apparel, ivory, gold, pearls,—may not we fall before similar temptations?

Let us sense our real condition, our fallen state, our great need of Christ, our dependence on him, and clothe ourselves with humility, simplicity, and sobriety, as becometh the children of God.